Thursday, May 22, 2008

Notable from the above link:"The EEG signals contain data and patterns of data associated with brain states, which can be used to infer the existence of thought processes. A problem with cognitive techniques is that EEG signals often contain artifacts, i.e., unwanted data, that may distort the brain state information. In the past, attempts have been made to overcome artifacts or "noise problems" by filtering EEG signals and by using neurofeedback. "

Notable from the above link:"By balancing and optimizing your brain you can train your brain to accomplish what it is you desire; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. With Brain State ConditioningTM you can overcome personal issues quickly and easily, and experience positive life changes in a matter of weeks."

Why this (the patent) is interesting and the implications that can arise:This deals directly with the mind/body relationship. There are generally three theories about the mind/body- feelings and perceptions. The first is that feelings and perceptions are byproducts and spontaneous side effect of neural networks-- i.e. connectivism. Another is that there is a mental code on the orgin of the mind the same way that there is a genetic code for the origin of life. The third is something I forget but it's based on computations and is more similar to the first in that the mind is considered a spontaneous process.

Spontaneous processes cannot have rules of its own which makes it harder to study and it also means that the mind is not autonomous.

The mind as its own set of codes however implies that the mind is not dictated by chemicals and physical chemistry AND that the mind can have epigenetic properties! Thus there can be rules and additions that changes features and landscapes.

Eeeek! I wish I could just sit, read, and think about these lofty things all ze time.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Graffiti Knitting - or the wrapping of public objects in hand knit mufflers. Traffic signs, plumbing pipes, statues, door handles, lightpoles – no object of reasonable circumference is off limits. It is as if they were warming the cold modern world with colorful mufflers and mittens. In this month’s Statement we thought we would introduce you to two different groups of anonymous graffiti knitters.

Knitta is considered the original graffiti knitting crew. Founded in 2005 in Houston, Texas, their first tag was the door handle of a clothing and accessory boutique that one of them owned. Since then they have expanded their horizons to tagging other cities, and knitting sprees have ensued in El Salvador, Paris, New York City and the Great Wall of China. Even the Museum of Modern Art has begun collecting their pieces. Taking their clues from hip-hop culture, each anonymous member is known by a pseudonym: AKrylik and PolyCotN were the founders and other members include Purl Nekklas, P-Knitty, The Knotorious N.I.T., and MascuKnitity. The group has had 5 female members and one male, aged 21 to 73 and it is estimated that there are as many as twelve copycat crews in the world. The most proficient of which is Masquerade.